Kelly Johnson was mocked for walking onstage in nurses scrubs delivering a monologue regarding her experience in the healthcare field where she cared for an Alzheimer’s patient.
That next (Monday) morning, Michelle Collins stated: “The talent, though, I have to say, the woman who won sang opera, and she was incredible. Really good.”
She continued: “…but then there was a girl who wrote her own monologue and I was like, ‘Turn the volume up, this is going
be amazing, let’s listen.’ She came out in a nurse’s uniform and basically read her emails out loud and shockingly did not win, it was hilarious!
Behar then turns to Collins [and asks] “Why does she have a doctor’s stethoscope on?” Collins replied: “She helps patients with Alzheimer’s, which I know is not funny, but I swear you had to see it.”
The nursing community definitely took to Twitter to turn up themselves by hastagging #nursesunite and proceeding to shoot away at the show and its hosts.
After which, both Eggland’s Best and Johnson & Johnson took a shot at squeezing their last bit of advertising and provided [our friends at] The Wrap with the following statements:
“Johnson & Johnson values and appreciates nurses and we respect the critical role they play in our health care system. We disagree with recent comments on daytime television about the nursing profession and we have paused our advertising accordingly. We’re committed to raising the level of awareness about the skill and knowledge that the profession requires and we send our thanks today and every day to the millions of nurses who touch the lives of patients and their families.”
Eggland’s Best took a crack at it:
“Many nurses and dietitians have contacted us saying that they know Eggland’s Best eggs are healthier and can play a big part in a family’s healthy lifestyle. Eggland’s Best appreciates nurses and values the important role they play in family health. In light of the comments about the nursing profession recently made on daytime television we will we will no longer be advertising on the show in question. Eggland’s Best believes in providing consumers the freshest, best tasting and most nutritious egg possible and we thank the millions of nurses across the country who work to improve the lives of their patients and families.”
Here’s the clip of Miss Colorado’s talent piece. You be the uh…judge:
Needless to say, on Wednesday’s show Collins clarified her statement:
“We love nurses. We adore you, we respect you. You guys are wonderful, you’re the most compassionate people.”
She explains: “I was not talking about her as a nurse, we were talking about the talent competition and I think it got misconstrued.”
“By the way, if your bosses are watching, you all deserve raises. Give them more money, give them everything, take my money,” she quipped.
Spitfire .
Media Maestro .
Writing Rhinoceros .
